Patiala, July 20 -- Having remained subdued for over a week, monsoon is set to make a fierce return in Punjab, driven by two powerful systems becoming active together.

Forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across the state from July 20 to 22, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert, cautioning residents about flash floods and water logging in low-lying areas, along with disruption in transport and civic utilities.

Over the past week, the monsoon trough had moved away from Punjab, and shifted towards Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal and northeastern states. As the monsoon axis moved away from the plains, dry westerly winds came in, driving up temperatures and humidity.

But the monsoon act...